The tunnel network codenamed Dumpy is deep beneath Dover Castle

by Graham Tutthill

A secret tunnel at Dover Castle earmarked as a refuge for the country's leaders in the event of a nuclear attack is being opened to the public for the first time.

The opening is taking place tomorrow - marking the 50th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis, which took the world to the brink of nuclear war.

The tunnel level - codenamed Dumpy - is in the deepest network of tunnels beneath the castle and would have housed 300-plus government and military officials as one of the country's 12 designated Regional Seats of Government (RSGs).

Its network of seven corridors and 30-plus rooms 150 feet below the surface would have become operational following nuclear attack in the hope of maintaining some semblance of order for those who had survived above.

Once fully equipped and designed to keep those inside safe from nuclear fall-out, the austere rooms and tunnels of Dumpy are now largely devoid of their equipment, furnishings, fixtures and fittings - but still retain a chilling air of the Cold war.

Secret tunnels beneath Dover Castle would have housed 300 officials

On a series of special 30-minute tours - taking place each day for the length of the Cuban missile crisis until October 31 - castle visitors can for the first time see some of Dumpy's secret nuclear rooms, which were the scene of a hush-hush NATO exercise just days before the crisis shook the world.

English Heritage senior curator Rowena Willard-Wright said: "We hope that these special events and tours will give our visitors a chance, not only to see spaces within the castle that have been closed to the public, but also to find out about our recent new research as we uncover the extent of Dover Castle's secret role in the Cold War, and in particular in this anniversary year, how Dover played its part in the run up to the Cuban missile crisis."

Cabinets dating back to the Cuban missile crisis at Dover Castle

The tours cost £5 in addition to the admission charge for the castle.

Numbers are limited for the 30-minute tours and can be booked by visitors on arrival at Dover Castle.

Longer tours taking in more rooms have been arranged as part of a series of events which are exclusive to English Heritage members.

For more details, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/dovercastle or phone 0870 333 1181.